Iran conducts space launch

Iran this week conducted the first launch of a new rocket that the Pentagon views as a key element of Tehran’s effort to build long-range missiles, the Washington Free Beacon reports.

The launch of the Simorgh space launch vehicle on Tuesday was judged by US intelligence agencies to be partly successful but did not reach orbit, defense officials familiar with reports of the test said.

“It was either an unsuccessful launch, or a test of third stage” not meant to place a satellite in orbit, a US defense official familiar with reports of the test noted.

No other details of the test launch could be learned.